Reversibly disengaging slidable strike indicator, positioning system, and method of using same

ABSTRACT

Particular aspects provide novel strike indicators attachable to fishing lines, that are reversibly disengagable therefrom and thereafter slidably along the line. Particular embodiments comprise: a buoyant main body having an axial channel with corresponding end surface openings; an retention member seat (e.g., groove, ridge, etc.) running around the main body surface; and at least one line retention member receivable and retainable by the seat, and operative with the seat to retain a line passing therebetween at two points. The retention member is displaceable from the seat by sufficient line tension, thereby disengaging the slidable strike indicator. Particular embodiments comprise two strike indicator stop members attachable at user-selectable line positions, and operative to delimit a slidable range of a disengaged slidable strike indicator. Novel methods for fishing, with a slidable reversibly detachable indicator, at a depth greater than the length of a fishing rod are presented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/165,660, filed 24 Jun. 2005 and entitled REVERSIBLY DISENGAGINGSLIDABLE STRIKE INDICATOR, POSITIONING SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF USING SAME,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to strike indicatorsfor fishing lines and methods for using same, and more particularly tonovel disengaging strike indicators that disengage by novel means uponapplication of sufficient tension to the attendant line (e.g.,strike-activated disengagement), and are thereafter slidable along theattendant fishing line between, in particular aspects, two settablepositions (e.g., between hook-distal and hook proximal disengagementpositions or strike indicator stop position members).

BACKGROUND

Strike indicators for fishing, including fly fishing and non-flyfishing, are known in the art. Typically, strike indicators arecomprised of a buoyant material, and are large enough, and/or ofsuitable character (e.g., color, fluorescence, etc.), to be viewable ata operational distance by a fisherperson monitoring the indicator.Buoyant strike indicators, in operation, are designed to attachable to afishing line, and thereby serve to suspend the line, with one or moreattached fishing hooks or members at the end thereof, at a distanceunder the water corresponding to the length of line between the hookmember and the strike indicator attachment point. When a fish strikesthe suspended hook(s), the strike indicator is correspondingly displacedat the surface, thereby signaling the fisherperson to respond, typicallyby ‘setting’ the hook into the fish using appropriate rod/line action.Therefore, such strike indicators function as a strike indicator, andalso may, in particular instances, serve as a fishing depth positioningmeans.

To be operationally viewable, strike indicators are typically largerthan the line ‘guides’ of a fishing rod (particularly the guides of flyrods, which are relatively small) and are typically attached at a fixedposition along the fishing line. Therefore, without fisherpersonintervention and removal of the attached indicator, the attached line isonly retrievable through the guides of a fishing rod to the point ofattachment of the strike indicator. For some fishing situations, thisline retrieval limitation may not present a problem, because the lengthof line from the strike indicator attachment point to the hook(s) isless than or roughly equal to the rod length, enabling sufficientretrieval of line so that a hooked fish can be maneuvered to a positionclose enough for effective capture by the fisherperson. However, theline retrieval problem caused by prior art strike indicators is severein many situations, and particularly in low-profile constrained contexts(e.g., boat or float-tube fishing), involving fishing with a hooksuspended on a line from a strike indicator at depths that significantlyexceed that of the rod length. Specifically, where the fishing depthexceeds the rod length, the line is not retrievable beyond the strikeindicator attachment point (the strike indicator cannot pass through theline guides), and the distance from the rod tip to a hooked fish may bemuch greater than the rod length, making capture of the fish difficultif not impossible in low-profile and/or constrained fishing contexts.This substantial limitation not only reduces the number of fishcatchable within a given time period because of loss of fish, but oftenresults in harm to hooked fish because of the non-optimal captureconditions (hooked fish too far from the rod tip). While strikeindicators that can be repositioned are known in the art, suchrepositioning is typically done by the fisherperson, and, practicallyspeaking, cannot be effectively done once a fish has been hooked and thefisherperson and the fish are operationally engaged in an excited state.

One known approach to providing a strike indicator that is more easilyslidable is the adjustable Frog Hair™ EZ-ON indicator (GammaTechnologies, Pittsburgh, Pa.), designed to be manually adjustable bysliding along a length of ‘tippet’ material. This approach is based oninserting line ‘tippet’ consecutively through two elastic positioningretainers that are retained at and within opposite ends of the axialbore of a buoyant indicator body (see FIG. 9). The elastic retainersenable the indicator to be forcibly repositioned along the leader, whileproviding sufficient gripping pressure against the leader to maintainits position. This system, however, has substantial drawbacks, because,due to the nature of the elastic positioning retainers, they become wornand cannot be reused, and the indicator cannot be reinstalled afterremoval from the leader (at least without obtaining new retainers andthreading tippet therethrough using a special wire-loop threading tool).Additionally, while being slidably adjustable, these indicators are notquick release, and such adjustment is by means of significant forceapplied by the fisherperson, and does not enable, for example, practicalrepositioning of the indicator during a fish ‘hook-up’ when fish andfisherperson are actively engaged. Moreover, the elastic positioningretainers cannot pass over knots (e.g., ‘blood’ knots) that aretypically found in most leaders being used, and even if they could theirgripping character would be degraded, thereby rendering the indicatoreffectively useless in a short time.

A known approach to providing a releasable and slidable strike indicatoris a quick release indicator (Waters West, Port Angeles, Wash.) designedto release in response to a fish ‘hook-up.’ This approach is based oninserting line ‘tippet’ consecutively through the axial bores of anfoam-based (Styrofoam™-based) indicator and a black plastic stopper,forming a tippet loop in the tippet at a position between the indicatorand the stopper, tucking a portion of the tippet loop into astopper-receiving slot of the indicator, and inserting the stopper intothe stopper receiving slot, thereby wedging, by pressure, the tuckedtippet portion between the wall of the receiving slot and the stopper toreversibly attach the indicator stopper combination to the line tippet(see FIGS. 8A and 8B). With a fish ‘hook-up,’ the tension in the lineincreases and frees the tucked loop, thereafter allowing the indicatorand stopper to freely slide along the fishing line. However, there aresubstantial drawbacks to this solution, including the fact that it isdifficult, if not impossible, upon repeated use, to consistently wedgethe tippet loop with a reproducible amount of force to provide the rightamount of tension for triggering release on ‘hook-up.’ This is because,even if one were able to insert the stopper with consistent force intothe receiving slot of the indicator, the amount of the tippet loopthereby wedge varies from event to event, and even more problematic, theamount of force required to effectively wedge the loop is enough tocause the loop material to deteriorate (e.g., deform, gouge, etc.) thewall of the receiving slot, giving rise to inconsistent andprogressively deteriorating performance of the indicator system.Additionally, there is no provision for re-attaching the indicator at aset line position from one ‘hook-up’ to another to allow forreproducibly fishing at a set depth, and there is no provision (exceptthe hook and the lines guides of the rod) to limit the slidable range.Moreover, because of the necessity to wedge enough stopper and tippetloop surface areas against the receiving slot wall to provide sufficientresistance to preclude inadvertent release events, the stopper andreceiving slot must be of a sufficient size, thereby defining a minimumsize (e.g., no such indicators are marketed that are smaller than about½ inches to about ⅜ inches in diameter). Furthermore, the high profileof the stopper and the asymmetric design of the indicator/stoppercombination are less than desirable in terms of line-foulingcharacteristics.

Therefore, there is a pronounced need in the art for strike indicatorsthat are more easily and consistently disengagable from an attendantline or leader, and that are substantially more reusable. There is apronounced need in the art for strike indicators that are disengagableby means other than direct contact or mediation by a fisherperson. Thereis a pronounced need in the art for strike indicators that are moreeasily and consistently disengagable, and thereafter readily slidablealong a fishing line. There is a pronounced need in the art for a strikeindicator system that is slidable along a fishing line within auser-settable defined range along a fishing line and/or leader. There isa pronounced need in the art for a strike indicator system that enablesmore effective and reproducible fishing with a strike indicator atdepths significantly greater than the rod length.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

Particular aspects of the present invention provide novel strikeindicators that are attachable to fishing lines (e.g., fly fishing linesand/or leaders), and are disengagable therefrom, by novel reversiblyretaining means, upon application of sufficient tension to the line(e.g., strike-activated disengagement). In additional aspects, thestrike indicators are reversibly disengagable, and thereby slidablyadjustable and positionable along a fishing line, includingrepositionable within a range defined by user-selectable stop positionmembers.

In particular aspects, the inventive disengagable strike indicatorscomprise: a buoyant main body portion having an exterior surface, firstand second main body ends, and an axial channel therebetween, withcorresponding first and second main body end surface openings, whereinthe channel is sufficient to accommodate slidable passage of a fishingline therethrough. There is an exterior line retaining member seat(e.g., a groove within the main body having sides and a bottom, or aridge protruding from the main body surface having sides and a top),said retaining member seat running around the exterior surface of themain body. In preferred embodiments, the groove or ridge encompasses thechannel axis such that the first and second end surface openings aredisposed on opposite sides of the groove or ridge. In alternateembodiments, the retaining member seat (e.g., groove or ridge), whilerunning around the exterior surface of the main body, does not therebyencompass the channel axis, such that the first and second end surfaceopenings are disposed on the same side of the groove or ridge instead ofon opposite sides as in preferred embodiments. A resilient annular lineretention member having a suitable shape and size so as to be reversiblyreceivable and retainable by the retaining member seat (e.g., receivablewithin the groove, or upon the ridge), is operative with the seat toretain a fishing line passing therebetween at two points. Uponapplication of sufficient line tension, the resilient member isdisplaced from the groove or ridge, thereby disengaging the strikeindicator and thereafter allowing sliding of the strike indicator mainbody axial channel along the fishing line.

Additional aspects provide a novel strike indicator system for fishinglines (e.g., fly fishing lines and/or leaders), the system comprising: adisengagable fishing line strike indicator that is, in operation,disengagable from and thereafter slidable along a fishing line and/orleader; and at least one strike indicator stop member attachable to afishing line or leader, and sufficient, in operation, to limit slidabletravel of the disengaged strike indicator. In particular embodiments,the system comprises two attachable strike indicator stop members,suitable, in operation of the system, to delimit a slidable range of adisengaged slidable strike indicator along a fishing line and/or leader.In additional embodiments, the system further comprises a fishing linefor attachment of the disengagable strike indicator and at least onestrike indicator stop member.

Further aspects provide a method of fishing (for any type of water andfishing; eg., salt water, fresh water, rivers, lakes, trout, salmon,bass, bluefish, etc.) with a strike indicator system, comprising: afishing line and/or leader; a buoyant disengagable fishing line strikeindicator that is reversibly attachable to, disengagable from andthereafter slidable along a fishing line and/or leader; and at least onestrike indicator stop member attachable to a user-selectable positionalong the fishing line, and sufficient, in operation, to limit slidabletravel of the disengaged strike indicator along the fishing line. Inparticular embodiments, the method is practiced with a system thatcomprises first and second attachable strike indicator stop membersattached at different user-selected positions along the fishing lineand/or leader, and suitable, in operation of the system, to delimit aslidable range of the disengaged slidable strike indicator along thefishing line. In particular aspects, the inventive disengagable strikeindicator is attached to the line in engagement with the first line stopmember attached at a first fixed line position, and upon disengagement,the disengaged strike indicator is thereafter slidable along the fishingline between the first and second line stop members, enabling, forexample, practical and effective fishing with a strike indicator atdepths greater than the rod length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows, according to particular aspects of the present invention,a side view of an exemplary disengagable strike indicator embodimenthaving an axial channel from end to end, an exterior groove within andaround the exterior surface that encompasses the channel axis such thatchannel end openings are disposed on opposite sides of the groove, alongwith a resilient annular line retention member operative to retain afishing line passing thereunder at two points within the groove.

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary disengagable strike indicator embodiment ofFIG. 1, wherein the resilient annular line retention member is seated inthe exterior groove to retain a fishing line passing thereunder at twopoints within the groove.

FIG. 3 shows, according to particular aspects, side views of threeexemplary line stop member embodiments that are attachable to a fishingline at user-selectable positions. The inventive line stop members arereceivable into the axial channel of the main body of the inventivedisengagable strike indicators to provide for a disengagable strikeindicator system, and wherein the shape and/or dimension of the linestop members is operative to engage the line stop member within the mainbody channel of the inventive strike indicators to limit slidable travelof the disengaged strike indicator along a fishing line. The line stopmembers, when engaged by the indictor main body, may be flush, recessed,or protruding from the main body surface.

FIG. 4 shows, according to particular aspects, a side view of anexemplary disengagable strike indicator system embodiment having a linestop member engaged therein, and a line stop member located at a remotedistance along the line, the two stop members defining a user-selectablerange of slidable travel.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show, according to particular aspects, a side view of anexemplary disengagable strike indicator system embodiment having a linestop member engaged therein (FIG. 5A) to attach the indicator at auser-selected position, and further shows (FIG. 5B) how the annular lineretention member is displaceable from the exterior groove of the mainbody upon application of sufficient line tension (indicated the pair ofopposing arrows), which disengages the strike indicators and thereafterallows sliding of the indicator along the line (e.g., between a pair ofstop members attached to the line at user-selected positions).Typically, in such embodiments, the resilient retention member isdisplaced on the side of the larger (or otherwise asymmetric) aspect ofa (e.g., ovoid) main body.

FIGS. 6A-6G show, according to particular aspects, side views of sevenadditional exemplary disengagable strike indicator embodiments toillustrate that the shape and size of the indicator main body, and theinventive system generally, can assume many different variations.

FIG. 7 shows, according to particular aspects, an illustration of aninventive method for fishing with a disengagable and slidable strikeindicator at a depth (e.g., ‘concentration feeding zone,’ or ‘holdingzone’ depth) greater than the length of a fishing rod. The methodcomprises use of an inventive disengagable strike indicator system, andnot only facilitates effective fishing at a consistent user-selecteddepth, but also facilitates effective and efficient capture of a hookedfish, which in turn enhances the overall fishing experience, and reducesinjury to captured fish.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a prior art quick release strike indicator. With afish ‘hook-up,’ tension in the line frees a tippet loop that is wedgedbetween a rubber stopper and the wall of a stopper receiving slot in theindicator body, thereafter allowing the indicator and stopper to freelyslide along the fishing line. This indicator, and the substantialdrawbacks thereof, are discussed herein above under “Background.”

FIG. 9 shows a prior art slidable strike indicator. Elastic positioningretainers enable the indicator to be manually and forcibly repositionedalong the leader, while providing sufficient gripping pressure againstthe leader to maintain its position. This indicator, and the substantialdrawbacks thereof, are discussed herein above under “Background.”

FIGS. 10A and 10B show, according to particular aspects, anotherexemplary embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, but having a lineretaining member seat that is in the form of a rounded ridge protrudingfrom the main body surface, instead of a groove within the main body.The line retaining member has a groove on its inner surface thatcooperatively conforms to the rounded ridge retaining member seat, andis operative with the ridge seat to retain a fishing line passingtherebetween at two points.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show, according to particular aspects, anotherexemplary embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, but having a lineretaining member seat that is in the form of an inverted “V”-shapedridge protruding from the main body surface, instead of a groove withinthe main body. The line retaining member has a groove on its innersurface that cooperatively conforms to the “V”-shaped ridge retainingmember seat, and is operative with the ridge seat to retain a fishingline passing therebetween at two points.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show, according to additional aspects, two alternateexemplary embodiments, which are similar to those shown in FIGS. 2 and4, except the retaining member seat (e.g., groove or ridge), whilerunning around the exterior surface of the main body, does not therebyencompass the channel axis, such that the first and second end surfaceopenings are disposed on the same side of the retaining member seat(e.g., groove or ridge) instead of on opposite sides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular aspects of the present invention provide novel disengagablestrike indicators that are attachable, by novel means, to a fishing lineat a user-selected position, and, upon disengagement therefrom, areslidable along the fishing line.

Additional aspects provide novel disengagable strike indicator systemsthat comprise, in addition to a disengagable strike indicator, at leastone strike indicator stop member that is attachable at a user-selectedfixed position along a fishing line, and is also engagable with theinventive strike indicator main bodies to limit slidable travel of adisengaged strike indicator along the fishing line.

Further aspects provide novel methods for fishing, comprising fishingwith an inventive disengagable strike indicator, or the inventive strikeindicator system.

Yet further aspects provide novel methods for effective and efficientfishing with a strike indicator at a depth greater than the length of afishing rod, comprising fishing with an inventive disengagable strikeindicator, or strike indicator system. The methods facilitate efficientcapture of a hooked fish, increase fishing efficiency and the overallfishing experience, and decrease attendant injury to captured fish.

The following discussion describes in detail particular aspects andembodiments of the invention and several variations thereof. Thisdiscussion should not be construed as limiting the invention to theparticular embodiments or to those particular variations. Practitionersskilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments andvariations, as well, that are encompassed within the scope of the claimsubject matter.

Disengagable Strike Indicator:

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5A, 5B, 6A-6G, 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A and12B, particular embodiments of the present invention are directed to adisengagable strike indicator 28 for a fishing line, comprising abuoyant main body portion 16 having an exterior surface 14, first andsecond main body ends, and an axial channel 10 therebetween, withcorresponding first and second main body end surface openings 8, thechannel 10 sufficient to accommodate slidable passage of a fishing line2 therethrough. The main body 16 additionally comprises an exterior lineretaining member seat (e.g., groove, raised ridge, etc.), which in thisembodiment is a groove 6, having sides and a bottom, within and aroundthe exterior surface 14, wherein, in this embodiment, the groove 6encompasses the channel 10 axis such that the first and second endsurface openings 8 are disposed on opposite sides of the groove 6. Inalternate exemplary embodiments (see FIGS. 10A and 11A), the lineretaining member seat comprises an elevation or ridge 7 (e.g., roundedor inverted “V”-shaped) protruding, at least to some extent, from themain body surface 14. In particular less preferred alternate embodiments(see FIGS. 12A and 12B), the line retaining member seat (e.g., groove,ridge, etc.) is disposed around the exterior surface 14, but does notencompass the channel 10 axis, such that the first and second endsurface openings 8 are disposed on the same side of the retaining memberseat (e.g., groove 6). Embodiments as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B areless preferred, because, inter alia, the retaining member 4 is notretained on the line after disengagement (see below). The disengagablestrike indicator 28 of FIGS. 1 and 2 further comprises a resilient(e.g.: elastic; pliant; supple; flexible, etc.) line retention member 4having a suitable shape (e.g., annular) and size so as to be reversiblyreceivable and retainable by the line retaining member seat (e.g.,within the groove 6, or upon the ridge 7 (see FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A and11B), and operative with the seat to sufficiently retain a fishing line2 passing therebetween at two points. In particular embodiments of theexemplary strike indicator 28 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the main body channel10 axis intersects a plane defined by the retention member seat (e.g.,the exterior groove 6) at an acute angle (i.e., less than ninetydegrees). Preferably, the angle between the main body channel 10 axis atone or the other main body end 8, and a plane defined by the retentionmember seat (e.g., the exterior groove 6) is selected from the groupconsisting of: less than about thirty degrees and greater than about 2degrees; less than about twenty degrees and greater than about fivedegrees; and less than about fifteen degrees and greater than aboutseven degrees. Preferably, the angle between the main body channel 10axis at one or the other main body end 8, and a plane defined by theretention member seat (e.g., groove 6) is less than about fifteendegrees and greater than about seven degrees. In particular embodiments,the distance, in opposite directions, from the first and second mainbody end surface openings 8 to the retention member seat (e.g., groove6) is the same or substantially the same. In alternate less preferredembodiments (see FIGS. 12A and 12B), the main body channel 10 axis doesnot intersect a plane defined by the retention member seat (e.g., theexterior groove 6 or ridge 7, etc.). In particular embodiments, theresilient annular line retention member 4 protrudes, at least to someextent, beyond exterior surface 14. In embodiments where the resilientline retention member 4 is receivable into a groove, the retentionmember 4 is preferably receivable into the groove 6 to a distance notgreater than about one-half the radial width of the resilient member 4,so that at least about half of the member 4 protrudes above the surface14. However, according to aspects of the present invention, the extentof receipt of the retention member 4 into the groove 6 may vary, so longas the retention member 4 is sufficiently and reversibly retainable. Inembodiments where the resilient line retention member 4 is receivableonto a ridge 7 (e.g., FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B), the retention member4 is preferably receivable onto the ridge 7 to a distance not greaterthan about one-half the radial width of the resilient member 4, so thatat least about half of the member 4 protrudes above the top of the ridge7. However, according to aspects of the present invention, the extent ofreceipt of the retention member 4 onto the ridge 7 may vary, so long asthe retention member is sufficiently and reversibly retainable upon theridge 7. FIGS. 10B and 11B show blow-up cross-sectional views ofexemplary retention member 4 sections to illustrate that. in theseelevated seat or ‘ridge’ embodiments, the inner surfaces of theretention members conform to the respective exemplary retention memberseats (rounded and inverted “V”-shaped ridges, respectively). Inparticular embodiments, the resilient line retention member 4 is elasticor stretchable, and of a size and dimension such that it is stretchablyreceived and retained within the groove 6. In preferred embodiments, theline retention member 4 is annular (e.g., in the form of an o-ring) orequivalent rubber ring, or resilient ring of another elastic material(e.g., plastic, etc.). In particular embodiments, the retention memberseat (e.g., groove 6 or ridge 7) is continuous around the exteriorsurface 14. In alternative embodiments, the retention member seat (e.g.,exterior groove 6, or ridge 7) is formed of a plurality of discontinuousseat elements (e.g., repeated finite groove or ridge elements orsections) appropriately disposed around the exterior surface 14 to forma discontinuous seat pattern sufficient to receive and retain theresilient retention member 4. In preferred embodiments (e.g., FIGS. 1,2, 4, 5A, 5B, 10A, 11A, 12A and 12B) the main body 16 is generally ovoidor ellipsoid, and the retention member seat is a generally elliptical orcircular groove 6. However, according to aspects of the presentinvention, the main body 16, may assume a variety of shapes (e.g., FIGS.6A-6G). The inventive design allows for essentially any size of mainbody 16, and the retention member 4 and seat (e.g., 6 or 7) may assume avariety of sizes and widths depending on the desired size of theindicator main body 16. While essentially any main body size could bemade, in preferred aspects for most fishing situations, the main body 16length or diameter is from about 0.6 cm to about 7.6 cm (e.g., ¼ toabout 3 inches), from about 1.3 cm to about 5.1 cm (e.g., ½ to about 2inches), from about 0.9 cm to about 3.75 cm (e.g., ⅞ to about 1.5inches), or from about 2.8 cm to about 0.64 cm (e.g., 9/8 to about 1.25inches), depending upon the type of application. In such preferredaspects, corresponding retention members 4 are of a dimension to bereceivable and retainable within or upon the conforming retention memberseats (e.g., 6 or 7) of such preferred main body 16 size ranges (e.g.,from about 0.6 cm to about 7.6 cm (e.g., from about ¼ to about 3 inches)in diameter, etc.). Retention member seat (e.g., 6 or 7) dimensionsreflect the size and shape of the main body 16 and the retention members4, and sufficiently conform to the retention members 4, so as tooperationally reversibly receive and retain the retention members 4.Such seats (e.g., 6 or 7) can be grooves 6 or slots within the main bodybodies 16, or can be elevated surfaces or ridges 7 protruding from themain body surface 14, and preferably conform in dimension to the mainbodies 16 and the retention members 4. Preferred widths (e.g.,cross-sectional) for retention members 4 are those that conform to thatof the retention member seats. In preferred aspects, retention memberwidths range from about 0.08 cm to about 0.64 cm (e.g., about 1/32 toabout ¼ inches), etc. In particular aspects the retention membersconsist, or are comprised of elastic, stretchable, resilient material.The dimensions and/or elasticity parameters of such resilient retentionmembers are selected to provide suitable line retention strengths fordifferent types of fishing and fishing situations. Commerciallyavailable ‘O-rings’ are a preferred type of resilient retention member4. However a variety of resilient materials could be used (rubberwashers, elastic bands, rubber bands, etc.), or any material or anystructure (resilient or not) that could be reversibly seated andunseated to reversibly retain a line 2 thereunder. Preferably, theline-contact surface of the retention members is of a material thatgrips the line (e.g., rubber, soft plastic, etc.). The retention members4 may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes (e.g., circular, ovoid,octagonal, square, rectangular, triangular), with the proviso that theyare reversibly receivable and retainable into or onto the retentionmember seat (e.g., 6 or 7). Preferable, the retaining member 4 conformsin shape to the retention member seat (e.g., 6 or 7).

In particular embodiments, the line retention member 4 is selected tohave sufficient retentive force when engaged within or upon the lineretention member seat (e.g., 6 or 7), so as to effectively provide for a‘non-disengageable’ strike indicator (i.e., wherein the line is heldsufficient tightly between the retention member and seat so that fishstrikes and fish ‘hook-ups’ do not disengage the retention member 4 andindicator 28. Moreover, such ‘fixed’ line position embodiments arehighly useful for particular types of fishing (where a slidableindicator is not needed), and are nonetheless novel and surprisinglyeffective by virtue of the instant inventive line retention means.

In additional aspects the strike indicator 28, further comprises afishing line 2 extending through the main body channel 10, andreversibly attached to the main body 16 at two points along the line 2by means of the exterior retaining member seat (e.g., groove 6 or ridge7) and the retention member 4, wherein the strike indicator 28 isdisengagable from the line 2 upon application of sufficient tension tothe line 2 (across the two attachment points) and is thereafter slidable(e.g., freely slidable) along the line 2. Therefore, in particularembodiments, the strike indicator 28, further comprises a fishing lineextending through the main body channel 10, and, after emerging at thetwo opposing end openings 8, passing therefrom in opposing directionsbetween the retention member 4 and the retention member seat (e.g.,passing between the retention member 4 and the external groove 6, orpassing between the retention member 4 and the external ridge 7),wherein the strike indicator 28 is thereby reversibly attached at twopoints along the line 2. The strike indicator 28 is disengagable fromthe line 2 upon application of sufficient tension to the line 2 (todisengage the retention member 4 from the retention member seat) and isthereafter slidable along the line 2 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary disengagable strike indicator embodiment 28of FIG. 1, wherein the resilient annular line retention member 4 isseated in the exterior groove 6 to retain an exemplary fishing line 2passing therebetween at two points within the groove 6 (e.g., oppositethe respective channel end openings 8). In particular embodiments, theresilient retention member 4 is preferentially displaced onto the lineon the larger aspect side of the main body 16 (e.g., on the side of thelarger aspect of the ovoid main body 16 as in shown in FIGS. 1, 5B, 10A,11A), which facilitates retention of the line retention member 4 on thehook-distal side of the strike indicator 28 after disengagement thereoffrom the line 2. Alternately, the resilient retention member 4 isdisplacable on the side of the smaller or opposite aspect of the mainbody 16. According to particular aspects, the shape of the indicatormain body 16 and the disposition of the retention member seat (e.g., 6or 7) thereto, can be selected to facilitate displacement of the lineretention member to one side or another of the indicator main body upondisengagement (see e.g., FIGS. 1, 5B, 10A, 11A and 6B). In either case,the line retention member 4 is retained around the line 2, and thusoperationally retrievable for reuse.

Disengagable Strike Indicator System:

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 7, 12A and 12B, additional aspectsprovide a disengagable strike indicator system for a fishing line 2and/or leader or tippet, comprising in addition to the elements andvariations of the novel disengagable strike indicator described above,at least one line stop member 18 attachable (e.g., by crimping,adhering, elastic tension, etc.) at a user-selectable fixed position toa fishing line 2 and/or leader or tippet, the line stop member 18 havingan outer surface, first and second stop member ends, and an axial stopmember channel therebetween, with corresponding first and second stopmember end surface openings, wherein the line stop member 18 isreceivable into the axial channel 10 of the main body 16, and wherein anaspect of the shape and/or dimension (e.g., flange, or enlarged orextended aspect, etc.) of the line stop member 18 is operative to engagethe line stop member 18 when received into the main body channel 10, andis thereby sufficient to preclude travel of a disengaged strikeindicator beyond a user-selected fixed position where it engages thestop member 18. Such stop members 18 can be of any suitable material(e.g., metal, plastic, elastic material, etc.), and are dimensionallyconfigured so as to be readily passable, upon line retrieval, throughline guides of a fishing rod. Preferably, the outer surfaces of suchstop members 18 are non-gripping to facilitate separation from theindicator main body channel 10 upon disengagement of the strikeindicator 28 from the line 2, and to facilitate unfettered passagethrough the line guides upon line retrieval past the user-selectedposition of stop member 18 attachment.

In this embodiment (e.g., FIG. 4), an inventive strike indicator 28 isshown attached to the line 2 at a point where it is engaged with a stopmember 18, which has been attached to line 2 at a user-selectedposition. In particular embodiments, the distance between the stopmember 18 ends is less than one-half the distance between the main bodyends 8. In additional preferred embodiments, the disengagable strikeindicator system comprises two line stop members 18 receivable atopposite ends of the main body 16. Therefore, additional embodimentsprovide a disengageable strike indicator system (having at least onestop member 18), further comprising a fishing line 2 extending throughthe main body channel 10 and reversibly attached to the main body at twopoints along the line 2 by means of the exterior retention member seat(e.g., groove 6) and retention member 4, wherein the strike indicator isdisengagable from the line 2 upon application of sufficient tension tothe line 2, and is thereafter slidable from or to the attachmentposition of the at least one line stop member 18. Therefore, inparticular embodiments, the strike indicator 28, comprises a fishingline 2 extending through the main body channel 10 and, after emerging atthe two opposing main body channel end openings 8, passing therefrom inopposing directions under the retention member 4 within the externalseat (e.g., groove 6), wherein the strike indicator is therebyreversibly attached at two points along the line 2, disengagable fromthe line 2 upon application of sufficient tension to the line 2, and isthereafter slidable to or from the user-selected attachment position ofthe at least one line stop member 18.

FIGS. 3A. 3B and 3C show side views of three exemplary line stop members18 attachable to a fishing line 2 at a user-selectable position. Theinventive line stop member(s) 18 are receivable into the axial channel10 of the main body of the inventive disengagable strike indicators(partially shown as dashed lines 14 in the figure) to provide for adisengagable strike indicator system, and the shape and/or dimension ofthe line stop members 18 is operative to engage the line stop member 18within the main body channel 10 of the inventive strike indicators tolimit slidable travel of the disengaged strike indicator along a fishingline 2. The engagement aspect of the stop member may, for example,correspond to an enlarged portion thereof (e.g., flange, bulge, etc.)that engages a conforming stop member receiving surface of the axialchannel 10 (see FIGS. 3A-3C). The line stop members can be of anymaterial that is fixable to the line 2 (e.g., a ductile material thatcan be pressed or crimped to be retainable at a fixed point on a line 2and/or leader or tippet, an elastic member that attaches by means of itsinherent dimensional character and elasticity, etc.). Affixing the linestop member to the line may be by any suitable means including but nonlimited to, crimping of a stop member comprising a ductile material(e.g., metal, plastic, etc.), adhering a stop member to the line,affixing by inherent elastic means, etc., as long as the stop member isattached to the line in a fixed or effectively fixed, non-slidable (orat least substantially non-slidable) manner, so that the attached stopmembers serves to effectively preclude slidable travel of the disengagedstrike indicator beyond the stop member attachment position. Stopmembers, may comprise on the inner surface thereof. Encompassed withinthe scope of the present invention are those stop members that areattached to a line in a manner sufficient, in practical terms dependingon the type and nature of the operational fishing, to substantiallypreclude slidable movement, but nonetheless are positionable along theline with sufficient applied force if repositioning is desired (e.g.,tight fitting elastic members for example). Preferably, the stop membersare of a ductile metal, and have a non-gripping exterior surface so asnot to preclude travel through line guides.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of an exemplary disengagable strike indicatorsystem embodiment having a line stop member 18 engaged therein, so thatin operation the strike indicator is engaged at a user-selected positionalong the line and/or leader or tippet. FIGS. 5A and 5B show a side viewof an exemplary disengagable strike indicator system embodiment having aline stop member 18 engaged therein, and further shows (in going fromFIG. 5A to 5B) how the annular line retention member 4 is displaceablefrom the retention member seat (e.g., exterior groove 6) of the mainbody 16 upon application of sufficient line tension, which in turndisengages the strike indicator, thereafter allowing sliding of thedisengaged strike indicator along the line 2. Typically, in suchembodiments, the retention member is displaced on the larger aspect sideof the main body (e.g., ovoid), but alternatively, displacement can beon the opposing side of the strike indicator. According to particularaspects, the shape of the indicator main body 16 and the disposition ofthe retention member seat (e.g., 6 or 7) thereto, can be selected tofacilitate displacement of the line retention member to one side oranother of the indicator main body upon disengagement (see e.g., FIGS.1, 4, 5B, 10A, 11A and 6B). In either case, the line retention member 4is retained around the line 2, and thus operationally retrievable forreuse in the novel disengaging strike indicator system. Significantly,because of the nature of the design, the present strike indicators andsystems allow for consistent and reproducible disengagement (e.g.,repeatedly disengagable at the same, or substantially the same linetension value) and reuse in the absence of significant wear,degradation, deformation, etc., of the attachment surfaces and of theline surfaces. Moreover, the inventive strike indicators and systems maybe selected to disengage at variety of line tension values, dependingupon the conformation, dimension and properties (e.g., size, elasticstrength (i.e., tensile elastic modulus), etc.) of the line retentionmembers 4, conformation and dimension of the line retention memberseats, and the relational disposition of these aspects with respect toeach other and with respect to other aspects of the strike indicator(e.g., relative orientation to axial channel 10; orientation withrespect to particular conformational aspects (e.g., asymmetric shapeaspects; see, e.g., FIG. 6B) of the main body 16, etc.).

In particular embodiments, the disengagable strike indicator systemcomprises a first and a second line stop member 18, and furthercomprises a fishing line 2 (or leader and/or tippet) extending throughthe main body channel 10 and through a channel of the first stop member18 engaged therein, the line 2 being reversibly attached to the mainbody 16 at two points along the line 2 by means of the line retentionmember seat (e.g., exterior groove 6, raised ridge 7, etc.) andretention member 4, wherein the strike indicator is disengagable fromthe line 2 upon application of sufficient tension to the line 2 (e.g.,tensional stress along the line crossing the two attachment positions)and is thereafter slidable (e.g., from a position of engagement with thefirst stop member, to the engagement and attachment position of thesecond line stop member 18 that is positioned along the line a userselectable distance from the position of the first attached strikeindicator, and on the side of the strike indicator that is opposite thatof the first engaged line stop member 18). Therefore, in particularembodiments, the strike indicator 28, comprises a first and a secondline stop member 18, further comprises a fishing line 2 extendingthrough the main body channel 10 and through a channel of the first linestop member 18 engaged therein, and the line 2, after emerging at thetwo opposing main body channel end openings 8, passing therefrom inopposing directions under the retention member 4 seated on the retentionmember seat (e.g., the external groove 6, raised ridge 7, etc.), whereinthe strike indicator is thereby reversibly attached (e.g., restrained)at two points along the line 2, disengagable from the line 2 uponapplication of sufficient tension to the line 2 (across the two linerestraining positions) and is thereafter slidable to the attachmentposition of the second line stop member 18 positioned along the line 2 adistance from the attached strike indicator, and on the side of thestrike indicator that is opposite that of the first engaged line stopmember.

The inventive novel system comprises at least one stop member 18, and isnot limited to any particular disengagable strike indicator design,provided that it is freely slidable on the line 2 once disengagedtherefrom. Therefore, general aspects provide a disengagable strikeindicator system for a fishing line, comprising: a fishing line 2; abuoyant disengagable strike indicator that is reversibly attachable to,disengagable from and thereafter slidable along a fishing line 2; and atleast one strike indicator stop member 18 attachable to auser-selectable position along the fishing line 2, and sufficient, inoperation, to limit slidable travel of the disengaged strike indicatoralong the fishing line 2. Particular general aspects comprise first andsecond attachable strike indicator stop members 18 attached at differentuser-selected positions along the fishing line 2, and suitable, inoperation of the system, to delimit a slidable range of the disengagedslidable strike indicator along the fishing line. In particular generalaspects, the disengagable strike indicator is attached to the line 2 inengagement with the first line stop member attached at a firstuser-selected line position, and, upon disengagement, the disengagedstrike indicator is thereafter slidable along the fishing line 2 betweenthe first and second line stop members 18. In preferred aspects, thestrike indicator is disengagable my means of application of sufficienttension to the fishing line (e.g., upon a fish ‘hook-up’). Therefore,general aspects of the present invention provide a method of fishingusing a disengagable strike indicator system in combination with atleast one strike indicator stop member 18.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B and 7, specific embodiments provide amethod of fishing (e.g., essentially any type of fishing in any type ofwater) with a strike indicator at a set depth X (e.g., corresponding toa ‘holding zone’ or ‘concentration feeding zone’ 22) greater than thelength Y of a fishing rod, comprising: obtaining a fishing line 2 inoperable communication with a fishing rod 32, the line 2 extendingthrough rod line guides and from a tip portion of the fishing rod to afishing hook 20 and retrievable with line retrieving means mounted onthe fishing rod 32, the extended line portion having hook-proximal andhook-distal positions. The method further comprises attaching, to theextended line portion, a first and a second strike indicator stop member18 at a first, hook-distal line stop position corresponding to a desiredfishing depth X, and a second, hook-proximal line stop positioncorresponding to a position of length Y from the hook, and equal toabout the length Y of the fishing rod, respectively, wherein the linestop members 18 are receivable into a buoyant disengagable strikeindicator 28, and wherein the shape and/or dimensional aspect of theline stop members 18 is operative to engage the line stop member 18within the buoyant disengagable strike indicator 28. The methodadditionally comprises attaching, between the two line stop members 18,to the line 2 and in engagement with the first hook-distal stop member18, a buoyant disengagable fishing line strike indicator 28 reversiblyattached to, disengagable from and thereafter slidable along the fishingline 2 between first and second stop members 18, the strike indicator 28disengagable by application of sufficient line tension. The methodfurther comprises: disengaging the strike indicator 28 by setting thehook into a fish (e.g., a fish ‘hook-up’); and retrieving the extendedline to a line position corresponding to about that of the second stopmember 18, wherein fishing at a depth X greater than the length Y of afishing rod and yet reaching the hooked fish for effective and efficientretrieval is afforded.

1. A reversibly disengagable strike indicator, comprising: a buoyantmain body portion having an exterior surface, first and second main bodyends, and an axial channel therebetween, the channel having a first endopening at the first main body end and a second end opening at thesecond main body end, the channel sufficient, in operation, to allowslidable passage of a fishing line therethrough without permitting theline to separate from the main body; a line retention member seatdisposed around the main body surface, the line retention member seatdisposed at a non-zero angle with respect to the axial channel; and aline retention member reversibly receivable and retainable by the seat,and operative with the seat to retain a fishing line passingtherebetween at two points spaced apart from the end openings andgenerally opposing each other along the exterior surface of the mainbody, wherein, in operation with a line, the line retention member isdisplaceable from the seat and the main body upon application ofsufficient line tension, thereby disengaging the strike indicator, andwherein the main body is configured to be slidable on the line,unimpeded by the line retention member upon displacement thereof.
 2. Thestrike indicator of claim 1, wherein the line retention member seatencompasses the channel axis such that the first and second end openingsare disposed on opposite sides of the seat.
 3. The strike indicator ofclaim 2, wherein the line retention member seat is a continuous ordiscontinuous groove.
 4. The strike indicator of claim 2, wherein theline retention member seat is a continuous or discontinuous raised ridgeprotruding at least to some extent from the main body surface.
 5. Thestrike indicator of claim 1, wherein the main body channel axisintersects a plane defined by the retention member seat at an angle lessthan ninety degrees.
 6. The strike indicator of claim 1, wherein theangle between the main body channel axis at the first or second mainbody end, and a plane defined by the retention member seat is selectedfrom the group consisting of: less than about thirty degrees and greaterthan about 2 degrees; less than about twenty degrees and greater thanabout five degrees; and less than about fifteen degrees and greater thanabout seven degrees.
 7. The strike indicator of claim 1, wherein thenearest distance, in opposite directions, from the first and second mainbody end openings to the retention member seat is the same orsubstantially the same.
 8. The strike indicator of claim 1, wherein theline retention member protrudes, at least to some extent, from the seat.9. The strike indicator of claim 1, wherein the line retention member isreceivable by the retention seat to a distance not greater than aboutone-half the radial width of the retention member.
 10. The strikeindicator of claim 1, wherein the line retention member is under tensileelastic stress while being retained by the retention member seat. 11.The strike indicator of claim 10, wherein the line retention member isin the form of an annular elastic band or an ‘o-ring’.
 12. The strikeindicator of claim 1, wherein the retention member seat is continuousaround the surface of the main body.
 13. The strike indicator of claim1, wherein the main body is generally ovoid or ellipsoid, and whereinthe retention member seat is generally elliptical or circular.
 14. Thestrike indicator of claim 1, further comprising a fishing line, leaderor tippet portion.
 15. The strike indicator of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one line stop member configured to be attachable toa fishing line, wherein the line stop member is reversibly receivableand engagable within the axial channel of the main body.
 16. Areversibly disengagable strike indicator system, comprising: a buoyantmain body portion having an exterior surface, first and second main bodyends, and an axial channel therebetween, the channel having a first endopening at the first main body end and a second end opening at thesecond main body end, the channel sufficient, in operation, to allowslidable passage of a fishing line therethrough without permitting theline to separate from the main body; an exterior retention member seatdisposed around the main body surface, the line retention member seatdisposed at a non-zero angle with respect to the axial channel; a lineretention member reversibly receivable and retainable by the seat, andoperative with the seat to retain a fishing line passing therebetween attwo points spaced apart from the end openings and generally opposingeach other along the exterior surface of the main body, wherein the mainbody is configured to be slidable on the line, unimpeded by the lineretention member, upon displacement of the line retention member fromthe seat and the main body; and at least one line stop member configuredto be attachable to a fishing line, wherein the line stop member isreversibly receivable and engagable within the axial channel of the mainbody.
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 20. The strikeindicator system of claim 16, wherein the line stop member comprises anouter surface, first and second stop member ends, and an axial stopmember channel therebetween, and wherein the distance between the stopmember ends is less that about one-half the distance between the mainbody ends.
 21. The strike indicator system of claim 16, comprising twoline stop members receivable at opposite ends of the main body. 22.(canceled)
 23. The strike indicator system of claim 16, wherein theangle between the main body channel axis at the first or second mainbody end, and a plane defined by the retention member seat is selectedfrom the group consisting of: less than about thirty degrees and greaterthan about 2 degrees; less than about twenty degrees and greater thanabout five degrees; and less than about fifteen degrees and greater thanabout seven degrees.
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 31. The strikeindicator system of claim 16, further comprising a fishing line, leaderor tippet portion.
 32. (canceled)
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